Part of the Lake County, Minn., Highway Department shop burned last week after a plow truck parked in a bay caught fire. Some snow plows, heavy equipment, and parts of the facility will need to be replaced.

Whether a public agency upfits its own police vehicles or sends them out depends on a variety of factors. Here’s why agencies choose their methods and some best practices they’ve learned from years of experience.

Sarasota County, Fla., plans to build a new maintenance and storage facility for the sheriff's fleet. The project would include 13 vehicle service bays, storage and office space, and a refueling station, and is estimated to cost $20.9 million.

Scott County, Iowa, officials debated the county's fleet management plans at a recent board meeting. The debate came up after the county's director of budget and administrative services recommended to purchase a system to balance and align tires.

Santa Clara County (Calif.) Sheriff's Office purchased 750 gun vaults for its deputies to use while off duty. The department is installing the gun vaults in deputies' personal cars as well as unmarked patrol cars.

Contra Costa County, Calif. has switched from biodiesel to R99 renewable diesel to fuel many of its heavy-duty diesel vehicles, including more than 220 diesel-powered municipal public works trucks, specialty vehicles, and equipment.